Health board has joint lowest number of GPs per person
CWM Taf University Health Board has the joint lowest number of GPs per person in Wales, according to new figures.
As of September 30, 2017 the health board had 5.8 GPs per 10,000 people – lower than the Welsh average. A leading health group said the latest figures, which show a recent drop in numbers across the country, show the GP workforce is at “tipping point”.
Cwm Taf University, Hywel Dda and Betsi Cadwaladr University all had the joint lowest at 5.8 per 10,000 people.
The average for Wales was 6.2 GP practitioners per 10,000 population.
In 2017-18, there were 1,926 GPs employed in Wales, excluding locums, retainers and registrars. That was 100 less than the peak in 2013-14 of 2,026 – and the lowest since 1,882 in 2006-7.
Between 2016-17 alone, the number fell from 2,009 to 1,926, a drop of 83 GPs or 4.1%.
In response, the Welsh Government said a more “complete measure” of GP numbers would include locums, retainers and registrars.
The data also states that the figures may be overstated due to the offset of GP locums.
RCGP Wales claims the fall in the number of GPs comes at a time when demand for general practice is rising as a result of a growing population.
Chairwoman of the RCGP Wales Dr Rebecca Payne said: “The news that workforce numbers have fallen is very disappointing for GPs and for patients.
“Workforce shortages are already being felt across Wales, there are fewer GPs to cope with rising demand and patients are having to wait longer to see their GP.
“The situation is not sustainable. General practice can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession but the workforce is increasingly stretched for some GPs the pressure is becoming too much.
“It is imperative that the Welsh Government takes urgent action to boost the GP workforce and expand the number of other healthcare professionals working in general practice.”
The figures also showed that Cwm Taf has the least number of locum GPs per 10,000 people.
Shadow Health Secretary Angela Burns said GPs had been warning of a recruitment crisis for years.
She said: “The Welsh Labour Government’s failure to heed warnings from organisations like the BMA has led to a serious crisis in GP recruitment and retention.
“These new figures further emphasise the need for systemic, long-term planning of the Welsh NHS, including action to improve recruitment and retention initiatives for frontline staff.”
In response, a Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “As the statistical release makes clear, a more complete measure of GPs in Wales is to include all GP practitioners, locums, retainers and registrars.
“Using this method shows there are only 8 (0.3%) fewer GPs than 2016.
“Since the launch of our ‘Train Work Live’ campaign, we have overfilled GP training places in Wales for the first time. We have also filled training places in areas that have been traditionally hard to recruit to.”
A Cwm Taf University Health Board spokesman said: “The overall figures reflect the changing face of general practice not only in Cwm Taf but also across Wales and the UK.
“We now employ a significant number of salaried GPs and a growing number of GPs who choose a career as locums.
“Many practices employ locums on a long term basis and they are therefore regular members of the primary care teams.”
They added they are “driving significant changes” to how healthcare is delivered and said they are part of the Welsh Government’s Train Work Live programme to keep more junior doctors in Wales to train as GPs.